NAMI Calls for Increase in NIH Funding

NAMI is joining advocates from across the nation in asking President Obama to make medical research for improving health care a priority and support robust funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

NAMI and other illness and patient advocacy groups are rallying advocates to contact the White House this week in support of significant annual increases for NIH.

"NAMI is pleased to join other disease advocacy organizations in support of the 'Research Means Hope' movement to ensure that the president’s FY 2011 budget meets the goal of making biomedical research funding a national priority," says Michael J. Fitzpatrick, NAMI Executive Director. "Investment in medical research is the source of hope for people living with serious mental illness."

"Direct and indirect costs of mental illness impact the federal budget overall and state and local communities nationwide, including a substantial and growing burden imposed on "default" systems such as emergency rooms, homeless shelters, police, jails and prisons."

"Adequate investment in research on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and other disorders is essential for our nation to address these human and financial costs. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has received more than $368 million in ARRA funding to support meritorious grants and invest in new 'challenge' grants and 'grand opportunity' grants."

President Obama needs to continue this investment in his FY 2011 budget proposal."

How you can help

Now is a particularly important time for President Obama to hear from advocates because he is working with his administration to determine the FY 2011 budget priorities.

Take Action: Send a message to President Obama on NIH funding. Editors Note: This alert has now expired.